Don't Even Entertain It

Whether it's on the silver screen, the mic, in politics, or on the playing field, the city of Los Angeles has always cherished its superstars. So unless the Los Angeles Lakers can find a superstar in the realm of their beloved star Kobe Bryant, which is very hard to do, it would be far better for them to keep their popular, long-running Kobe soap opera alive than it would be for them to make a bad deal.

Say what you want about LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Carmelo Anthony, Gilbert Arenas, or any other star in the league for that matter. While all the aforementioned All-Stars are super offensive talents, Bryant, the NBA’s leading scorer from a season ago, has them beat.

Say what you want about any of the NBA’s best clutch shooters, but when the clock is ticking down, you’d want the ball in Bryant’s hands first. Admit it. Say what you want about James, Wade and Anthony, but when it came to USA Basketball this summer, all eyes were on Bryant. And say what you want about anyone else in the league, but when the spotlight-stealing Bryant talks, more people listen than with anyone else.

Los Angeles residents love to rub elbows with the stars, and their nine-time All-Star has that rare combination of unmatchable talent, worldwide recognition and headlines that keep Tinseltown wanting more. It doesn’t matter that the Lakers have been just sneaking into the playoffs in recent seasons and aren’t a title contender. With Bryant scoring 60 points, dunking over people, nailing 3-pointers at the buzzer, and owning clean-cut Hollywood looks combined with tattoos, the individual-loving Laker fans are very entertained and still come out in droves.

Even so, the legendary Lakers franchise is open to trading Bryant after he stated that he wanted to be dealt over the summer.

There has been talk about moving the two-time All-Star MVP to the Chicago Bulls and to the New York Knicks. But do you think esteemed Lakers fans would get excited about seeing Luol Deng or Andres Nocioni play? No. Do you think Lakers season-ticket holders Jack Nicholson and Denzel Washington would flock to see Stephon Marbury or Eddy Curry play? No. And after the Lakers got bamboozled in trading another mega superstar in Shaquille O’Neal to Miami for good but not Shaq-like players, the Lakers better be careful this time.

So what NBA players would Lakers fans get excited about in place of an 11-year Laker whose popularity rivals Magic Johnson? Well, James, Wade, Duncan, Anthony, Arenas or Garnett are the first names that come to mind, and then maybe Dirk Nowitzki, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, injured rookie Greg Oden or rookie Kevin Durant after that.

The problem is that the teams whom those esteemed players play for don’t seem interested at all in trading their beloved superstars for even a superstar like Bryant. One main reason is those teams are happy with what they have. Another is that even as great as Bryant is, they don’t want to deal with the drama and deep-pocket salary he brings.Playing amateur general manager, if I was Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchack I would call the Wizards to see if they were interested in dealing Bryant for Arenas and Antawn Jamison. The numbers work financially. Hollywood fans would love Arenas, since he is almost as great of a scorer as Bryant, he hails from Los Angeles, and he has a loveable, quirky personality. Going to another big market like the nation’s capitol could be attractive to Bryant if the Wizards’ brass can convince him they will get him an adequate supporting cast quickly. But that’s just me.While Bryant and the Lakers might not be a perfect marriage, Kobe and Los Angeles are a perfect fit. Don’t be surprised if, in the end, the Lakers and Bryant stay together even though they may never see eye to eye. While it won’t be easy, one blockbuster move is all it takes to make Bryant happy to be in a Lakers uniform again.

Sorry Lakers. Bryant has the upper hand. Best to just make him happy in Los Angeles rather than to make the City of Los Angeles not interested in coming to the STAPLES Center anymore. The people in Los Angeles love a great soap opera. Hence, they love Kobe.

by Mark Spears

AOL Sports